After a monthlong delay, a Conference Committee of lawmakers filed a compromised state budget last night, a $56.2 billion spending plan that includes $173 million for the Chapter 257 Reserve.
The investment in the Chapter 257 line item represents an increase of $94 million, or nearly 119%, from FY ’22. The Council compared the Chapter 257 line item to the FY ’22 budget, rather than the FY ’23 budget, because the number of Chapter 257 rates reviewed by EOHHS alternate in proportion every other year.
The negotiated spending plan calls for an increase of $3.5 billion from the current year’s budget and a $700 million increase from what Gov. Maura Healey recommended in March.
In addition, the Conference Committee budget proposes some line items be increased above their FY ’23 levels, including Emergency Assistance – Family Shelters and Services (48.22%), Emergency Aid to Elderly Disabled and Children (38.62%), Family and Adolescence Reproductive Health (36.39%) and Congregate Care Services (27.92%). However, the proposal calls for decreases to other line items as well, such as HomeBASE (37.6%) and Community Day and Work Programs (12.71%).
Other items of interest include:
- MRC line item 4120-2000 – Vocational Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities – rose from $23.3 million in FY ’23 to $25.9 million, an increase of nearly 11%.
- DTA line item 4401-1000 – Employment Services Program – rose from $16.9 million in FY ’23 to $19.9 million, an increase of 17.9%. Additionally, the line item included language that preserves Competitive Integrated Employment Services (CIES) at no less than FY ’23 spending levels.
- DCF line item 4800-0040 – Family Support & Stabilization – rose from $72.8 million in FY ’23 to $88.8 million, an increase of nearly 22%.
- DMH line item 5046-0000 – Adult Mental Health and Support Services – rose from $518.7 million in FY ’23 to $600.4 million, an increase of 15.8%.
- DDS line item 5920-2000 – Community Residential Services – rose from $1.44 billion in FY ’23 to $1.72 billion, an increase of nearly 19%.
- DHCD line item 7004-9024 – Mass. Rental Voucher Program – rose from $154.3 million in FY ’23 to $179.6 million, an increase of 16.4%.
- ELD line item 9110-1630 – Home Care Services – rose from $200.4 million in FY ’23 to $214.1 million, an increase of 6.9%.
The budget will soon be sent to Gov. Healey, who will have 10 days to review it. Gov. Healey may announce budget vetoes and/or amendments when she signs the bill.
The preliminary analysis from the Providers’ Council, which tracks frequently discussed human services line items, is located here. To discuss any of these line items or ask that other line items be tracked, please contact Bill Yelenak.
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